ESP-4614

Published

2026-03-31

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 3 (2026): Publishing

Section

Research Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Chen Li

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How to Cite

Chen Li. (2026). Exploring analogical transfer from interpersonal friend-foe beliefs to geopolitical evaluations: Evidence from an opinion survey in Beijing. Environment and Social Psychology, 11(3), ESP-4614. https://doi.org/10.59429/esp.v11i3.4614

Exploring analogical transfer from interpersonal friend-foe beliefs to geopolitical evaluations: Evidence from an opinion survey in Beijing

Chen Li

Department of Journalism, School of Culture and Communication, Beijing International Studies University, Beijing, 100024, China


DOI: https://doi.org/10.59429/esp.v11i3.4614


Keywords: interpersonal relationship beliefs; analogical transfer; geopolitical evaluations; opinion survey; young Chinese from Generation Z

Abstract

Understanding the dynamics of public opinion requires attention to the cognitive processes through which personal beliefs and emotions shape issue-specific judgments, such as geopolitical evaluations in international conflicts. Drawing on rounds of opinion surveys and interviews conducted among young Chinese respondents from Generation Z in Beijing, this study explores whether interpersonal friend–foe beliefs are associated with attitudes towards the Russia–Ukraine war. The findings suggest that analogical transfer from interpersonal friend–foe beliefs to geopolitical evaluations can be observed, but only to a limited extent. Similar pro-Russia judgments pointed to the perceived importance of Russia in countering Western containment rather than interpersonal relational reasoning. Moreover, an “us-versus-them” mindset rooted in such interpersonal logic was associated with a tendency among those who valued Russia’s energy supply to view Russia as part of “us” and to prioritise offering it support. Among respondents who perceive Russia as a longstanding good friend, support appears to rest more on historically grounded relational affinity than on threat-oriented friend–foe beliefs. Overall, the results indicate that analogical transfer operates as one possible cognitive pathway among several shaping geopolitical evaluations within this Beijing-based cohort.

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